treble clef

American  

noun

Music.

1. a sign that locates the G above middle C, placed on the second line of the staff, counting up; G clef.

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treble clef British  

noun

1. music the clef that establishes G a fifth above middle C as being on the second line of the staff

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Etymology

Origin of treble clef

First recorded in 1795–1805

Compare meaning

How does treble-clef compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• bass clef vs. treble clef

Example Sentences

Prosecutors showed a 2012 memo noting one such arrangement for Calamari Sr. bearing the former president’s initial - a D resembling a treble clef - and the handwritten notation, “OK.”

From Washington Times • Nov. 10, 2022

Prosecutors showed a 2012 memo noting one such arrangement for Calamari Sr. bearing the former president’s initial — a D resembling a treble clef — and the handwritten notation, “OK.”

From Seattle Times • Nov. 10, 2022

Dede chose a tattoo design that features a one-of-a-kind treble clef, fish hook, ribbon and heart on her right forearm.

From Fox News • Nov. 1, 2021

While I’d been playing brass instruments for years, tuba parts are written in bass clef; I’d only ever read treble clef.

From New York Times • Nov. 23, 2019

Figure 1.9: A small 11811 at the bottom of a treble clef means that the notes should sound one octave lower than written.

From "Understanding Basic Music Theory" by Catherine Schmidt-Jones and Russel Jones